Review: Mycroft Holmes #1

Dang it Mycroft…we’ve never seen you like this. I didn’t know I needed this foul mouthed, snarky version of Mycroft Holmes in my life, but now that I have him I feel cheated because I hadn’t met him earlier. As a fan of Sherlock Holmes– the books and many, many movie adaptations, I can say with no guilt that Mycroft was always a side thought for me. Important to some story lines; yes, well acted by Mark Gatniss; yes, but still, nowhere near as important as the man himself, Sherlock. But this…this amazing piece of comic mastery, it is a revelation.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who it turns out has written books about Mycroft Holmes (note to self, book buying binge upcoming) has graciously decided to give us comics fans a treat by bringing his world to the comic genre. I feel fairly blessed for getting to read it on release day. In that vein, I’m going to try to review it, without leaving too many spoilers.

Mycroft Holmes and the Apocalypse Handbook is an origin story. Specifically the origin of what seems to be a seriously wicked version of Mycroft. He is mouthy. He is an unrepentant manipulator. He seems to like to spend his time with married women. He also, as we’re used to in canon, particularly evil to his brother. And by the end of this book, the cliffhanger end of this book that is, he appears to be starting his work for the crown. Queen Victoria (who makes a cameo) is known for saying, “We are not amused” but in truth, I am. I was hooked from the beginning and cannot wait to see what happens next.

I must also take a moment to comment on the illustrations. Josh Cassara has created a lush world in his drawings and I am in love. The muted colors. The shading even. It is so gorgeous and it sucks you in, brings you right back to the late 1800’s. It all adds to the perfection of the comic.

Mycroft Holmes and the Apocalypse Handbookreleased today. Go and find it at your favorite comic shop or, try to find it here on Amazon

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